Commission calls for evidence of risks associated with growth hormones
In order to conduct a risk assessment of the effects of using growth hormones on animals, the European Commission has published a call for scientific documentation on oestradiol-17(, progesterone, testosterone, zeranol, trenbolone acetate and melangestrol acetate used for animal growth promotion purposes. The open call, organised by the European Commission, Directorate-General XXIV, is to all countries inside and outside the European Union (EU). The Commission is seeking information on the above chemicals that is available to companies selling or distributing them, but unavailable in open literature in the context of a risk assessment related to their use for growth-promotion purposes. The call outlines the areas of information on which the Commission is particularly keen to receive information. The scientific documentation submitted would be made available to the Commission's Scientific Committee on Veterinary Measures relating to Public Health, which is assisting the Commission in carrying out the risk assessment.